Main navigation
Providing students with hands-on experience analyzing rocks, minerals, fossils, soils, and waters, in a small classroom setting
Earth and Environmental Science faculty and students study the many physical, chemical, and biological systems that compose the earth. Using modern observational, analytical, and computational methods, they examine how the planet’s interior, surface, hydrosphere, and atmosphere have evolved since the earth was born in the solar system 4.6 billion years ago. Topics commonly studied in the department include how plate movements cause earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building; global climate change and how climate change and catastrophic events cause changes in biodiversity; how and where economic resources are generated in the earth; and how these resources are located and used in modern society.
The Geoscience curriculum provides students with hands-on experience analyzing rocks, minerals, fossils, soils, and waters, generally in a small classroom setting. Much of this experience is obtained in laboratory and field courses. Field courses include travel to other states or countries to view earth materials and fossils in the context of their natural surroundings.
Many of The University of Iowa’s geoscience graduates find employment with resource companies, environmental corporations, and educational institutions. Others continue in graduate school or take jobs with government or conservation agencies. Some intend to enter law, business, or fields such as urban planning, environmental studies, engineering, archaeology, science education, or oceanography as advanced areas. Geoscience provides skills useful for all of these.
1800 +
Students enroll in our General Education - Natural Sciences approved courses each year
Bachelor of Arts in Geoscience
The Bachelor of Arts in geoscience offers students a background in the Earth sciences and related scientific disciplines, and is designed for flexibility in potential career paths. The department focuses training in the areas of environmental geology, geochemistry, geophysics, paleontology, stratigraphy, tectonics, basin analysis, surficial processes, petrology, and volcanology. Students gain field experience along with classroom learning.
Learning Outcomes
- understand the structure, composition, and physical processes of the Earth;
- understand the coevolution of the Earth-Life System;
- have experience interpreting the geologic record in the field;
- understand natural resources and resource sustainability; and
- develop a quantitative analytical skill set to integrate the diverse array of Earth sciences and related disciplines.
Want to get started?
Learn more about the program, including courses, curriculum, and requirements here.
Bachelor of Science in Geoscience
The Bachelor of Science in geoscience offers students an extensive and comprehensive background in the Earth sciences and related scientific disciplines, and is geared toward a career in the geosciences. Strengths of the department include environmental geology, geochemistry, geophysics, paleontology, stratigraphy, tectonics, basin analysis, surficial processes, petrology, and volcanology. Students gain extensive field experience and training, and are able to integrate field studies and analytical research, with knowledge gained in the classroom. Opportunities are provided for local, regional, and international field experiences as well as for individual research projects.
Learning Outcomes
- understand the structure, composition, and physical processes of the Earth;
- understand the coevolution of the Earth-Life System;
- have the ability to interpret the geologic record in the field;
- understand how to assess and utilize our natural resources in a sustainable manner; and
- develop a quantitative analytical skill set to integrate the diverse array of Earth sciences and related disciplines.
Want to get started?
Learn more about the program, including courses, curriculum, and requirements here.
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Sciences*
The Bachelor of Arts in environmental sciences is designed for students who wish to specialize in one of four tracks; each focusing on one aspect of environmental sciences with the aim of preparing scientists who can tackle problems that require particular areas of expertise, as well as developing the skills needed for future employment or graduate study.
Learning Outcomes
- synthesize scientific knowledge and methods across disciplines;
- comprehend and evaluate primary findings in published scientific articles;
- gain experience conducting independent research and/or reviewing scientific areas of interest; and
- effectively communicate scientific findings in written and/or oral form.
Want to get started?
Learn more about the program, including courses, curriculum, and requirements here.
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences*
The Bachelor of Science in environmental sciences is designed for students who wish to specialize in one of four tracks; each focusing on one aspect of environmental sciences with the aim of preparing scientists who can tackle problems that require particular areas of expertise, as well as developing the skills needed for future employment or graduate study.
Learning Outcomes
- synthesize scientific knowledge and methods across disciplines;
- comprehend and evaluate primary findings in published scientific articles;
- gain experience conducting independent research and/or reviewing scientific areas of interest; and
- effectively communicate scientific findings in written and/or oral form.
Want to get started?
Learn more about the program, including courses, curriculum, and requirements here.
Minor in Geoscience
The minor in geoscience offers students an opportunity to obtain training and education in earth and environmental sciences. Those seeking a minor in geoscience should be sufficiently prepared in the areas of supporting sciences before they take advanced courses in geoscience.
Learning Outcomes
- demonstrate understanding of the fundamental concepts of scientific knowledge and methods across disciplines; and
- gain experience conducting independent research and/or reviewing scientific areas of interest.
Want to get started?
Learn more about the program, including courses, curriculum, and requirements here.
Certificate in Museum Studies*
In collaboration with the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the Museum Studies Certificate program combines history, theory, and experiential learning to create a forward-looking curriculum preparing professionals for graduate school or work in a wide range of museums and cultural institutions. Courses are offered online and face-to-face each semester to meet your education and professional development needs.
Learning Outcomes
Through lectures, discussions, visits to museums, hands-on learning, professional guest speakers, and museum based projects students will learn about:
- the history and origins of museums
- collections management and care best practices
- audience and community engagement
- non-profit fundraising, grant writing and management
- strategic planning and organizational structure
- ethics and professionalism in the field
- communication and collaboration best practices
Want to get started?
The Certificate Program is open to any student, either non-traditional or undergraduate, with a minimum 2.0 g.p.a. who is not enrolled in the Graduate College at the University of Iowa. Graduate students are welcome to take museum studies courses, but currently the Certificate is only offered at the undergraduate level. Graduate students have the option to enroll in the Certificate program after completing the graduate degree.
Certificate in Sustainability*
In collaboration with the Office of Sustainability and the Environment, the Certificate in Sustainability program provides knowledge of the multidisciplinary breadth of the field, which is represented by the program's areas of electives: dynamics of natural systems, dynamics of human systems, and communication, ethics, and interpretation.
Learning Outcomes
Because sustainability embraces many disciplines, methodologies, and institutional practices, certificate students must:
- have knowledge of the multidisciplinary breadth of the field;
- have experience with analyzing real-life problems in and outside of the classroom; and
- work collaboratively to solve such problems.
Want to get started?
The Certificate Program is open to any student, either non-traditional or undergraduate, with a minimum 2.0 g.p.a. who is not enrolled in the Graduate College at the University of Iowa.